So... the Museum of Fine Arts Boston recently announced "Kimono Wednesdays," an interactive art event inviting museum-goers to pose in front of Claude Monet's La Japonaise while wearing a replica of the kimono worn by Monet's wife, Camille, in the painting. I don't know about you, but dressing up like a white lady dressing up like a Japanese lady sounds like a fun way to spend a Wednesday night.

As you might have guessed, some folks were not cool with this cultural cosplay, and organized a peaceful protest to call attention to issues of orientalism and cultural appropriation in the promotion. Still, the museum pressed on with the stunt despite the outcry, handing out a one-page flyer to address the criticism, and flatly stating the MFA's position on the matter: "We don't think this is racist." (Well, I guess that settles it.)

But now, as a result of the negative response, the MFA has announced that it's changing its interactive kimono experience. Instead of trying on the kimono, museum visitors will be allowed to "touch and engage" with it.

Here's the release the MFA sent out on Tuesday:

The MFA''s mission is to engage people with direct encounters with works of art, and to be an inclusive and welcoming place for all. When the MFA''s painting, La Japonaise by Claude Monet, travelled throughout Japan for an exhibition, historically accurate reproduction kimonos were made for visitors to try on. When the painting returned to Boston and a similar program was introduced at the MFA, we heard concerns from some members of our community, and as a result, we''ve decided to change our programming. The kimonos will now be on display in the Impressionist gallery every Wednesday evening in July for visitors to touch and engage with, but not to try on. This allows the MFA to continue to achieve the program''s goal of offering an interactive experience with the kimonos—understanding their weight and size, and appreciating the embroidery, material, and narrative composition. We will also increase the number of Spotlight Talks presented by MFA educators, to take place every Wednesday evening in July in conjunction with the display of the kimonos. The talks provide context on French Impressionism, “japonisme,” and the historical background of the painting, as well as an opportunity to engage in culturally sensitive discourse. We apologize for offending any visitors, and welcome everyone to participate in these programs on Wednesday evenings, when Museum admission is free. We look forward to continuing the Museum''s long-standing dialogue about the art, culture and influence of Japan.

No more kimono selfies, people.

What do you think? Is this a way to address concerns while still offering an interactive experience with the kimono and the painting? It seemed like a big part of the issue was the ill-conceived invitation for folks to play this uncritical, culturally insensitive game of dress-up. That's certainly what I found most problematic.

Facing pressure from protestors, MFA ends kimono selfie exhibit
Demonstrators said the promotion was a troubling appropriation of Japanese culture.

Facing pressure from protestors, MFA ends kimono selfie exhibitMFAPhoto:
Protestors say museum staff handed them this document when they demonstrated at the exhibit. A museum spokesperson said print-out included "talking points" that the MFA drafted for museum staff.Protestors say museum staff handed them this document when they demonstrated at the exhibit. A museum spokesperson said print-out included "talking points" that the MFA drafted for museum staff. Stand Against Yellow-Face @ the MFAPhoto:
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston announced it is changing its interactive kimono-wearing exhibit following criticism from protestors, who over the past two weeks have said it appropriates, rather than appreciates, Japanese culture.

The MFA released a statement about the change on their website Tuesday afternoon.

The museum had been inviting patrons to wear an uchikake kimono – a formal Japanese garment - and pose for pictures in front of a painting called “La Japonaise,” by Claude Monet. The 1876 impressionist work depicts Monet’s wife Camille wearing a similar outfit and donning a blonde wig, which museum descriptions say is a commentary on the West’s obsession with Japanese culture in the 19th century.

Now, the MFA will allow visitors to touch, but not wear, the outfit.

"When the MFA’s painting, La Japonaise by Claude Monet, travelled throughout Japan for an exhibition, historically accurate reproduction kimonos were made for visitors to try on. When the painting returned to Boston and a similar program was introduced at the MFA, we heard concerns from some members of our community, and as a result, we’ve decided to change our programming," the statement reads. "We apologize for offending any visitors, and welcome everyone to participate in these programs on Wednesday evenings, when Museum admission is free. We look forward to continuing the Museum’s long-standing dialogue about the art, culture and influence of Japan."

The original spectacle did not sit well with one group of observers, who have been holding signs in a museum showroom on Wednesdays the past two weeks.

“If you’re talking about the cultural experience of Japanese culture,” said demonstrator Christina Wang, “the kimono, or uchikake, can be appreciated without this parade of putting it on and taking selfies in front of a painting. That isn’t really contemporary critical analysis.”

On a Facebook events page called Stand Against Yellow-Face @ the MFA, over 200 said they would take part in a protest July 8 at the museum.

It was not immediately clear if the protest was still set to go forward.

Protests have been small – so far involving just a handful of sign-holders – but the effort was gaining momentum.

The demonstrators’ concerns saw shout-outs on popular blog Angry Asian Man and artnet News and were being amplified in other media.

The kimono promotion was not the only issue with Asian culture’s presence at the museum, Wang said. Many of the items are tied to colonialism, looting and the history of unfair treatment of Asian countries, she said.

“We could protest everything in the museum to some extent,” she said. “The reason why this particular event is so offensive is the invitation for the public to participate in this farce.”

Protestors last week posted a picture of what appeared to be a printed statement from museum staff, which reads, in part, "We don't think this is racist."

A press representative for the MFA, though, told Metro the print-out was a private document intended to be "talkig points" for staff people, and was not written for public distribution.

“We don’t think this is racist," the document reads. "We hope visitors come away with a better understanding of how Japanese art influenced the impressionists like Monet. However, we respect everyone’s opinion and welcome dialogue about art and culture in the Museum.”

Wang and Ames Siyuan, who hosted the Facebook event page, said they are drafting a response, which they plan to post on Tumblr.

Before the MFA’s announcement late Tuesday afternoon, Siyuan told Metro protests would likely continue until the museum removes the exhibit, until its run ends at the end of the month, or perhaps longer, Siyuan said, adding the demonstrations could be a springboard for broader discussion about Asian-Americans and race.

“What we want to focus on is the Asian-American experience in America and how this event participates in the erasure of Asian-American history in the US,” Siyuan said. “We are type-casted and stereotyped. … We are mis-appropriated by the system and by individuals.”

http://mfabostonyellowface.tumblr.com/post/123553520605/breaking-down-orientalism-in-la-japonaise
Stand Against Yellow Face
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is hosting "Kimono Wednesdays" through July 2015. People are invited to wear a replica kimono of Monet's "La Japonaise" as a way to explore how Japanese culture influenced European art. However, "La Japonaise" represents orientalist attitudes of the period and donning the kimono recreates that fetishism with Japanese culture, erases the centuries of oppression and reduces the lived experience of the Japanese to dress up.
ARCHIVE
Breaking Down Orientalism in La Japonaise
In progress.

From the Statement:
ON CHOICE OF PAINTING By choosing a painting of a European woman to highlight and to invite the public to dress in her ‘kimono,’ the MFA is continuing in this tradition of exoticizing the ‘East’ through the lens of a misogynist White patriarchal West while contributing to the invisibilization and erasure of the AAPI experience. Monet’s painting by the MFA’s own wording was ‘a witty comment on the current Paris fad for all things Japanese.’ By ‘witty comment’ we are meant to understand that the painting is supposed to be a satirical jab at the absurdity of Europeans fascination with ‘all things Japanese.’ What is the value of inviting the public to then dress up and participate in the very thing Monet was critiquing? Why not choose a print from the Hokusai exhibit to highlight the experience of Japanese women? Or why not provide a discussion on the historical context and criticality about the 1870’s obsession?

MORE ON OUR READING OF THE ORIENTALIST ICONOGRAPHY IN LA JAPONAISE Even the curation did not escape orientalist language: At the first spotlight, the curator described the Japanese musician/warrior on the uchikake as a “creature.” ON THE WESTERN ARTIST AS A GENERATOR OF MISOGYNIST ORIENTALIST TRASH POP ICONOGRAHY Monet was known to be living in extreme poverty. Aware of the fascination with Japanese culture and intrigue over Japanese courtesan culture in particular, it might be hazarded that he dressed his wife in a bold kimono, performing a teasing smile, thereby capitalizing on the conflation of wife as courtesan, a public way to be risque in Parisian circles and a sure way to sell a piece. This speaks to a certain sexual voyeurism that is made quite evident by the choice of the uchikake as the painted object itself. Additionally, the piece centers the European female beauty emphasized by the blonde wig and also by the cameo of the othered Japanese woman, her expression described by the curator as seemingly stunned upon gazing on Camille. Yet it is the white male gaze that Camille is soliciting after all, as private as her husband’s perhaps, but we know the piece would be sold to a patron, presumably white and male. Monet later referred to La Japonaise as ‘a heap of trash.’ His own repulsion with being compelled to make refuse like this at all makes him complicit in continued Orientalism, both in generating Orientalist iconography and in his personal disgust for it. And this is the dynamic the MFA celebrates by holding the dress-up event - without any irony - without acknowledging that the painting’s only redemptive quality is that it is a testament to a time when Orientalist iconography was reinforced by master Western artists. As museum patrons, we are asking to let’s keep this mess in the past.
racism orientalism art
1 note Jul 8th, 2015

Does the stock picture make you wrinkle your nose in disgust or does it raise an eyebrow or two? Can you explain your reaction?
“There’s a long-standing trend to represent Asian women as hypersexualized objects of fantasy,” wrote Jacinto. She also took umbrage with the lingerie description as “your ticket to an exotic adventure” and the fact that none of the models for the collection were of Asian descent.
“The lack of Asian women here simply exposes the deep-rooted nature of the Orientalist narrative, one that trades real humanness for access to culture,” she wrote. “Besides, it can only feel sexy and exotic if it’s on an “American” body—without the feeling of accessing something foreign or forbidden, there can be no fantasy.”
Read more here: http://shine.yahoo.com/fashion/victorias-secret-geisha-lingerie-sparks-controversy-one-blogger-201500394.html

In a statement, the museum apologized for offending some visitors with the event, where museum goers were encouraged to don the traditional Japanese garments and pose in front of Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise.”

The museum said it had hoped to create an “interactive experience,” helping museum goers appreciate the rich details, embroidery and fine materials of the garments. It said similar events took place when the painting, depicting a woman in a kimono, travelled throughout Japan for an exhibition.

But protesters have held signs at the Boston museum’s events, calling them “racist” and “imperialist.”

The museum says kimonos will now be on display Wednesday evenings for visitors to touch, not try on.

The Los Angeles Times reported that a Facebook page titled “Stand Against Yellow-Face @ the MFA” described the Kimono Wednesday event as an “insult not only to our identities, experiences, and histories as Asian-Americans in America, but affects how society as a whole continues to typecast and deny our voices today.”

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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61
MarkGJUL. 09, 2015 - 07:09AM JST
What in the world is wrong with the museums proposed "Kimono Wendesdays"? PC out of control yet again.

29
YubaruJUL. 09, 2015 - 07:22AM JST
How is it racist? Or imperialist for that matter? Just who are these faceless "protesters"?

How much does anyone care to bet they originate from somewhere near Japan?

25
NZ2011JUL. 09, 2015 - 07:24AM JST
This is just odd, there are time to time cases of cultural appropriation where a minority group has aspects of its culture used by another larger group without any real benefit or even to the detriment of the minority group.... but really in this case?

Have any of these people ever visited Japan?

Not only do the vast majority of Japanese people want to share their culture, this exact very practice of people trying on a Kimono, or dressing up as a Samurai, in large part particularly for foreigners, is fairly common.

No they were not (exclusively Korean). They were Asian Americans minus any Japanese Americans.

21
YubaruJUL. 09, 2015 - 07:45AM JST
I would like to apologize on behalf of America.

Apology not accepted! It's not your fault and even if you are an American it isn't your place to apologize for anything. The museum in question should have some cojones and do it anyway. They are the one's who bear the blame for twisting in the wind and letting public opinion sway their decision making process (read that as wimps).

This plan by the museum was mundane to say the least, it isnt erotic nor sick, nor racist, no imperialist, and the people who forced them to change their plans are narrow minded bigots.

11
JohnDigsJapanJUL. 09, 2015 - 07:51AM JST
Things are being take too seriously these days and it seems that if one person is offended by anything, it must be dealt with using the "r" word.

7
MarkGJUL. 09, 2015 - 07:54AM JST
@ Yubaru....The museum in question should have some cojones and do it anyway. They are the one's who bear the blame for twisting in the wind and letting public opinion sway their decision making process (read that as wimps).

It's not public opinion! It's a small handful of silly protesters!!! True public opinion would result in 'Kimono Wednesdays'. They catered to a vocal minority.

37
Supey11JUL. 09, 2015 - 08:00AM JST
WAY too much missing info:

-the kimonos were provided by the museum (to match the one in the painting)

-this painting made a tour of Japan previously (Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto) where the kimonos were also provided for anyone there to try for a photo op as well (including gaijin visitors). It was popular in those places.

-the kimonos in Boston were provided by sponsor NHK

-there were about 3 protesters total holding hand made signs in he gallery. Yes, three. At first the museum ignored them (on some days it was just one or two). Then they set up a Facebook page. The online protest was much larger (slack-tivism at its best). Then they bombarded the museum's Facebook page. "Cultural appropriation" and "Orientalism" were the primary concerns.

-Though Asian-Americans, none of the named protesters who were physically present had Japanese names (some may say they are overreacting on the racism part, but it does make me wonder if the idea of the museum putting a positive little spotlight on Japan didn't also play into it. Wouldn't surprise me if maybe this got some "Cool Japan" funds as well?).

-Most Interestingly: the painting itself depicts Monet's wife in the kimono as well as a blond wig to emphasize her European-ness. Its understood that Monet was actually making fun of the late 19th century Japan craze (as well as all things east Asian) known as “japonisme" that was sweeping through France. Hence the title, 'Looking East'. So Monet himself through this very painting was mocking "cultural appropriation" and "Orientalism". So with that in mind, what does the offer to wear kimonos and/or the protests actually translate to? (I just think Monet is laughing in his grave).

1
paulinusaJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:06AM JST
"It said similar events took place when the painting, depicting a woman in a kimono, travelled throughout Japan for an exhibition."

And you have to think the Japanese were absolutely thrilled to pose for photos in front of Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise.

12
Black SabbathJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:07AM JST
“Asian-Americans in this country have a history of being mis- or underrepresented — they’re either completely absent from the media or only depicted as Kung Fu, exoticized, mystical, dragon ladies, prostitutes, or what have you,” said Christina Wang, 29, who held a sign that read, “Try on the kimono, learn what it’s like to be a racist imperialist !!!today!!!” She added: “This event that the MFA is putting on — asking the public to come don the kimono — is part of that legacy.”

Hateful, hateful stupidity.

-29
Sunrise777JUL. 09, 2015 - 08:10AM JST
It is racial discrimination. If Japanese museum did the same thing, Japanese citizens would criticize them. But I can guess what kind of guys lead such an absurd protest. Many Japanese no longer trust them.

19
lucabrasiJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:13AM JST
So a Japanese lady wearing a skirt and blouse posing in front of the Mona Lisa is being racist?

23
Jumin RheeJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:16AM JST
And yet dressing up as a plastic leprechaun for st Patrick's day is not racist...go figure.

29
Elizabeth HeathJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:21AM JST
How can this be racist? Do any of these protesters know what racism is? Since when is 'Japanese' a race?

I can't stand the confusion in my mind.

Some people are wankers.

10
Megumi ShaktiJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:22AM JST
This article seems incomplete. How is wearing a "kimono" racist??? Is it the painting? This is totally out of left field.

-2
lucabrasiJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:22AM JST
@Jumin

And yet dressing up as a plastic leprechaun for st Patrick's day is not racist...go figure.

Ha! Could Shakespeare have said it better? My wife would have said exactly the same, only in Japanese... ; )

10
Matthew SimonJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:32AM JST
Who protested this? Probably the same idiots that tried to stop the 2 Nagasaki sites from getting World Heritage Status recently. (Which did get the status) Once again people need to get over the past not dwell in it.

10
YongYangJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:34AM JST
How was it racist? The museum needs to borrow a couple of cannon balls and wear them, AND go ahead with letting people experience a kimono.

8
BritloverJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:42AM JST
@Luca: plastic as in fake, not real, and in this case demonstrating that the person celebrating St Patrick's Day is not really in anyway Irish.

The museum in Boston needs to restart the interactive experience.

16
Rick CogleyJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:43AM JST
This is absolutely not racist or imperialist. Those protesters have something clearly wrong with them. The museum should never have cancelled or apologized.

9
BertieWoosterJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:45AM JST
Why not just ignore the nutjobs who make this kind of comment?

2
lucabrasiJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:46AM JST
@Britlover

Of course, thank you. I was thinking of "plastic" as in a garden gnome or something....

10
noypikantokuJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:46AM JST
is it just me or every little thing in America could always be subjected to racism?

-4
White_ShinobiJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:56AM JST
So it is ok to refuse service to non japanese, but it is racist when non japanese wear a kimono? Got it.

14
cleoJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:56AM JST
Plonkers.

Trying on a kimono is racist? How about trying a bit of sushi? Ramen? Only 'real' Japanese allowed to eat them, too?

That would be racist. Sharing culture isn't.

Some of the comments on the Museum's FB page are truly weird. I could not imagine going around with all that angst in my head the whole time. (This is honestly one of the most vilely racist things I've ever seen. .....fragile white folks feeling entitled to orientalize because they have no conception of how damaging these kinds of things are..."Playing Asian" is racist!!...this deserves an retraction and apology...This is wrong on so many levels)

There do seem to be more 'don't be stupid' posts, though. Most people are not plonkers. Pity the Museum caved.

14
DelBoyTrotterJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:07AM JST
My colleague gave me a kimono and encouraged me to wear it. Was she trying to trick me into being racist?

7
AFRetJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:10AM JST
Three people who were not Japanese, decried "Orientalism"! (Which is turn of the century occidental fascination of all things Asian; but limited in scope to a narrow interest range). They then compared that proclaimed narrow viewpoint to racist imperialist dogma.

My guess is that from their viewpoint, the purported experience was a hand-picked one that failed to represent all things Asian and failed to meet their measure or bar standard.

But how do people get interested in the customs and mores of another society? I was introduced by the very same things that the thirty-somethings were using as an example of racism: Namely Kung-Fu, dragon ladies and etc. It was only later when informally introduced to the culture that my spectrum of interests widened.

What happened here is indicative of the "vocal minority" destroying everything and anything that would raise the occidental conscious to the slightest inclination towards interest in the Asian cultures.

These three women by ranting like a mental 10 year old because they perceive that "their" culture has been slighted have done more damage to the visitors who have a passing interest or fancy in things Asian!

11
karlrbJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:13AM JST
These protesters must have brains truly wired incorrectly. It's a shame the museum caved in to these people.

8
JalapenoJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:25AM JST
I'll protest the fact BMW has not given me a free car. Time to start a Facebook page, Twitter rant, Instagram barrage. I'll have that free car in no time.

9
Frank ThorntonJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:34AM JST
Someone said it well, "I'm offended that so many people are so easily offended." The museum should have had the balls to say "We're very sorry that you don't like the exhibit. However, it is quite popular and we have no plans to make any changese in the near future. Have you tried Cowboy Tuesdays? Visiters can dress like cowboys, shoot guns and pose next to our John Wayne wax doll.

8
FizzBitJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:38AM JST
One of the "students?"who organized this lives in Cambridge, Mass. Just a hop, skip and a jump over to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Rather convenient if you ask me.

slack-tivism at its best

Agree

These people should be addressing child prostitution or sex trafficking in Asia, not this "try on a Kimono" experience.

3
MrBumJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:42AM JST
I think this is an extension of the "I am not a costume" campaign against college kids dressing ghetto or dressing up in kimonos, turbans, Native American outfits, etc. for Halloween. That campaign had a point, but it's a really fine line between racism and respectfully having fun.

I don't think the museum crossed the line into racism though. Go to Kyoto and you'll find Japanese people offering kimonos for visitors to rent and take pictures in. I went to a Korean restaurant the other day run by Koreans that had traditional Korean outfits for visitors to wear.

It's all about intent and respect. Those things can be hard to discern, but it's important to pay attention to nuance and not cry racism at every turn.

8
tmarieJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:50AM JST
Oh for the love of god. As much as Japan does my head in I fear that the PC police have gone waaaaay too far in may western countries. I once had a friend get told she was racist for wearing a kimono. In her wedding picture. In the picture was her Japanese husband. And the wedding was in... Japan.

Funny, do these people get upset when Japanese folks wear jeans? I highly doubt it. I don't get upset when I see a non Scottish girl in a kilt like skirt.

5
nakanoguy01JUL. 09, 2015 - 09:51AM JST
this is truely what is wrong with the world these days: when a handful of idiots can create fake outrage and bend an institution to its will. FB and twitter should be destroyed.

-6
Dennis711JUL. 09, 2015 - 09:52AM JST
As usual we don't get the whole story here. We even got a slanted version. After digging through the inter-webs I got to the protesters Facebook page and now I understand why they were against the display...or not. They feel that the painting was not represented well by the museum. It seems that the event didn't educate visitiors like it states, but just allow them to pose... exactly like the painting. Meaning, not understanding the culture but just dawning a costume and having fun playing dress-up. The protesters wanted the painting explained...These are their words from Facebook," WHAT SPECIFICALLY IS THE MFA INFORMING VISITORS ABOUT JAPONISME? About Monet’s personal collection of Japanese artifacts? Why not that Japan was an isolationist nation until 1854 when the United States forced Japan to open its borders at gunpoint, and that’s how japonisme got its start. Nor that japonisme is part of the larger narrative of Orientalism within the context of places colonized by Europe and the U.S. as a means to generate iconography that reinforces stereotypes that justifies imperialist domination and enslavement. Orientalism exoticizes (read: others, demeans and obscures) many cultures including South Asian, East Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, and resulting aggressive attitudes (both micro and macro) towards Orientalized peoples persist to this day. Also, what is the ‘better understanding’ they hope visitors to come away with? If the MFA wants to make a point about dressing up being a respectful and authentic cultural experience, then why call the event ‘Kimono Wednesdays’ when in fact the garment is an uchikake?"

4
genjuroJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:54AM JST
How is it racist? Or imperialist for that matter? Just who are these faceless "protesters"? How much does anyone care to bet they originate from somewhere near Japan?

LOL Exactly. I bet you a 100 won or rmb they do.

"We're very sorry that you don't like the exhibit. However, it is quite popular and we have no plans to make any changes in the near future. Have you tried Cowboy Tuesdays? Visiters can dress like cowboys, shoot guns and pose next to our John Wayne wax doll."

Great idea. You should be the museum's program director. :)

2
SenseNotSoCommonJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:55AM JST
The ethnicity of the cretins in this protest is irrelevant, and talk of it drags us down to their gutter.

What is relevant is their anti-intellectual fascism, echoing the Cultural Revolution's red guards.

Being able to try on authentic kimono in a respectful atmosphere with the purpose of enjoying art: respectful and a unique experience...right? No?

8
Todd SeilerJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:00AM JST
Man. I'm not Japanese and I probably might never get to go to Japan. It would be really really neat to see people in Kimono's just to see how it looks on real people. But because of some people, Americans may never get to enjoy this culture in that aspect. Isn't that what America is all about? The big melting pot. :-(

0
tonttu2012JUL. 09, 2015 - 10:01AM JST
The kimono in question does not seem to be an ordinary type of kimono, but one worn by a courtesan. I think this issue should be discussed from a feminist point of view rather than a racist one.

0
tokyoclambakeJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:05AM JST
@ Todd Seller Just do a Google image search for Tokyo Station or Shibuya Crossing; ALL of the Japanese people you will see in those pictures will be wearing kimono; it's really a sight to see! (The ones not in kimono MUST be foreigners.)

3
bonestructureJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:05AM JST
This is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. How is it in any way racist? I'll tell you what it is. It's the politically correct nazis who feel it's their business to destroy any trace of common sense in the world. Probably white people. The making and wearing of kimonos is a beautiful art. One of the things I missed the most when i returned to the US after living in Japan, was not seeing beautiful women in kimonos. There is immense grace and beauty. And a museum seems to me to be a great place to celebrate that grace and beauty. As well as to show people that wearing a kimono is pretty darn comfortable, too. But the political correctness nazis are bound and determined to turn the world into shades of gray, a boring, non ethnic, non individualist hell on Earth.

5
gelendestrasseJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:06AM JST
I'm going to go to Boston, put my yukata on and go to the museum. Or would that be racist?

6
FernGullyJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:07AM JST
I hate outrage culture. I hate this PC BS. This might as well be mental totalitarianism. Accuse people of being offensive, and then forcing them to behave and act a certain way. Total crap.

-4
Pukey2JUL. 09, 2015 - 10:07AM JST
This is crazy. I've visited a popular Japanese garden in Tokyo, and sometimes they have some Japanese clothes on display. There's a platform where visitors can stand and put those clothes on to have their photo taken in full view of everyone else. Nobody has complained.

juan carlos:

Is easy, put a japanese traditional clothes exhibition... then add some chinese and korean communities... Nationalism roots evoked... racism made!!!

This has got nothing to do with Chinese, Korean or nationalism. Stop stirring it.

-2
TriringJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:16AM JST
Kimono is also called Gofuku(呉服） meaning clothing from GO(Wu Dynasty of Ancient China) so it not only repesents Japan but ancient China as well.

3
Chris CaseJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:20AM JST
Rumour has it that a protest movement is underway in Tokyo insisting that the practice of wearing western style clothing, in particular the use of zippers and shoelaces, is unacceptably racist.

3
ebisenJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:24AM JST
You should tell this group of idiots what you feel about them and this initiative on their facebook page (like I just did)... Such a shame to cancel this exhibition, that took a lot of resources to prepare!

7
virgo98JUL. 09, 2015 - 10:32AM JST
Japanese would never call this event at the museum "racism", as we have a pride in our culture and are very grateful if people of other countries take interest in it. There might be some mistakes or preconceived ideas, but still, having an interest in something is the first step to understand it.

If those people, although I don't know whether they are really Asians, have a pride in Oriental culture, they should not do this kind of thing. Because it is to block the understanding of others and even escalate the biases.

-14
OssanAmericaJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:34AM JST
If the Kimonos are real and they are to be worn properly with a someone versed in "kitsuke" assisting so that it is worn properly, I see nothing wrong with it, On the other hand if the "kimonos" are going be on a hanger rack and vistiting women are going to wear them like hotel bathrobes and shove chopsticks into their hair,,,yea it's racist alright.

1
KokuziJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:58AM JST
The BBC has some more info on this... http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-33450391

3
NathalieBJUL. 09, 2015 - 11:04AM JST
If you read most of the comments on the Facebook page, most of them are saying this is completely ridiculous and these idiot protestors should be ashamed of themselves. And not ONE of the names that I could see protesting it was remotely Japanese. Quite a few other Asian nations though.

1
camnaiJUL. 09, 2015 - 11:13AM JST
The story is seriously incomplete without more information about who is doing the protesting and why.

3
powderbJUL. 09, 2015 - 11:14AM JST
My wife just bought the two of us new summer yukata for after the bath. I suppose I'll have to return it now.

5
JimizoJUL. 09, 2015 - 11:26AM JST
Does this mean as a gaijin I'm not allowed to speak Japanese anymore? Surely my attempts to imitate the intonation and pronunciation of Japanese people is taking the piss.

2
seadog538JUL. 09, 2015 - 11:41AM JST
Unbelievable! But then-so much nowadays can be labelled as "Racist". It's become a very popular and overused epithet.

2
SensatoJUL. 09, 2015 - 11:47AM JST
"

Cultural appropriation" and "Orientalism" were the primary concerns.

@Supy11

Thank you for posting that.

This whole notion of "cultural appropriation" is a joke because, guess what, people of all ethnic backgrounds adopt elements of other ethnic backgrounds all the time in terms of apparel, food, the arts and intellectual pursuits — it is a positive tendency of humanity, not negative.

Along those lines, there was controversy in Seattle a couple of years back because a Japanese sushi shop whose owner is a Japanese national hired a Caucasian woman as a sushi chef. She was accused of cultural appropriation, and was also subject to scorn for being a woman in a men's domain — double whammy. Fortunately, the owner stood up to the voices of irrationality.

1
itsonlyrocknrollJUL. 09, 2015 - 11:51AM JST
These misguided student activist's purpose is not to have a open and honest debate into perceptions of Race.

These protests are fundamentally a nauseating form of direct confrontational action, to impose their blinkered political views and opinions, to stifle and muzzle, it their view or nothing.

These tin pot fascists have successfully though aggressive force made The Museum of Fine Arts Boston a scapegoat for theses own 'cultural' and paranoia and inadequacies. It is so typical of the current trend to succumb to a mind numbing political dumb meets dumber behaviour, a crass imbecilic dullard approach.

Society needs to be able to understand though sensible discussion what constitutes racism or extremism, not intimidation and bullying.

2
HimajinJUL. 09, 2015 - 12:15PM JST
A quote from the article in the Boston papers-

"Asian-Americans in this country have a history of being mis- or underrepresented — they’re either completely absent from the media or only depicted as Kung Fu, exoticized, mystical, dragon ladies, prostitutes, or what have you,” said Christina Wang, 29, who held a sign that read, “Try on the kimono, learn what it’s like to be a racist imperialist !!!today!!!” She added: “This event that the MFA is putting on — asking the public to come don the kimono — is part of that legacy.”

Pictured are a white woman, an Indian woman, and a woman who might be Asian protesting. Holy Toledo...

1
Yumster100JUL. 09, 2015 - 12:30PM JST
Can't the article dig in deeper as to WHY the protesters felt it was racist because I can't see an ounce of reasoning as to how it is racist. Truly pathetic and a loss for those that would have enjoyed what this program could have offered because of these mindless idiots screaming racists over misguided ideology. The museum should have more common sense as well.

1
HimajinJUL. 09, 2015 - 12:38PM JST
"It's cultural appropriation' say Japanese (and others) on the Museum's FB page. Coming from a country that sent envoys to the US, England and many other countries to import Western culture wholesale, it's pretty ironic.

On a thread about perceived racism you find absolutely nothing wrong with assuming that anyone complaining is from one certain ethnic background? It makes zero sense that they would (all) be Korean, first and foremost. But, pres tel, and I ask this out of curiousity and not assumption, why do you think they are all Korean? What grounds do you have for that that does not imply some kind of racial bias?

Who cares what nationality they are, regardless. It's a silly thing to be complaining about, and I can't see how anyone but Japanese might perceive it as being racist, and only then if it were done to poke fun about Japanese displaying peace signs for photos in front of said painting. Given that that does not seem to be the case -- either with the people complaining or the museum's intentions, of course, I don't really see how this is racist. If a Japanese person had been dispatched to promote 'cool Japan' and do this kind of thing people would be nuts about it as it might be an interesting chance to experience some Japanese culture (trying on kimono).

In any case, it WAS perceived as racist, and the museum has acted on it, so that's about the best you can hope for until some better way of going about it is suggested.

0
Sean LewisJUL. 09, 2015 - 12:49PM JST
Here in the US people will complain about anything and or say something is racist. If I read this article right it said it was "Museum goers were ENCOURAGED (not forced) to don the traditional Japanese garments and pose in front of Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise.” They have/ had a choice to to put it on or not. What has the US turned into?!?!?! There are times that I'm really ashamed to call myself American because of the few that make it out to be that ALL Americans are racist. It's ALL about people not wanting to except anything but their own views. We ALL should have PRIDE in OURSELVES to encourage/ embrace the cultures of the world.

3
ToshiYoriJUL. 09, 2015 - 12:51PM JST
I agree with earlier posts that the kimono event wasn't racist. The protests were just another example of rampant PC that's currently sweeping across the US.

Here's a link to a "Japanese-American In Boston" blog which provides an in-depth look at the handful of protesters and the MFA kimono presentation: http://japaneseamericaninboston.blogspot.com/2015/07/monets-la-japonaise-kimono-wednesdays.html

1
GWJUL. 09, 2015 - 12:51PM JST
Took a peek at a couple other sites & the info is similar to here, I cant tell if these twits have a problem with the kimono & people wearing them or if its the painting itself(with a white woman in a blonde wig) or is it both??!!??!?

All seems pretty daft to me, tried reading one of their signs but cant make out the smaller print, they seem to have protested at the wrong venue/event for this supposed racism BIZARRE!!!

3
PaustovskyJUL. 09, 2015 - 12:53PM JST
I bet actual racists are rubbing their hands with glee at stories like this. They love to play the 'PC gone mad' card.

3
Lauren M. DoucetteJUL. 09, 2015 - 01:04PM JST
With respect, I am severely offended by being denied the opportunity to learn more about Kimono and its designs. Being labeled a bigot for wanting to enrich my knowledge of Japanese culture is far more offensive then they can ever understand.

2
cleoJUL. 09, 2015 - 01:07PM JST
If a Japanese person had been dispatched to promote 'cool Japan' and do this kind of thing people would be nuts about it as it might be an interesting chance to experience some Japanese culture (trying on kimono).

It was NHK that provided the kimono, apparently.

The kimonos, which are replicas of the garment in the painting, were commissioned by the Japanese broadcaster NHK to accompany “La Japonaise” for the recent traveling exhibit “Looking East”; visitors to museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, and the MFA’s sister museum in Nagoya could try them on as part of the exhibit.

3
Yumster100JUL. 09, 2015 - 01:19PM JST
So, if an Asian (or some non-white) goes to lets say, Tombstone, and they dress up as a cowboy, would that be racist, too? There are many places that allow to take memorable photos at a local tourist sites. Imagine the outrage if the photographer would refuse to take a picture of an Asian, dressed as a cowboy, in Tombstone, because it is racist.

-1
peace_zzzJUL. 09, 2015 - 01:31PM JST
@tonttu2012 The kimono in question does not seem to be an ordinary type of kimono, but one worn by a courtesan. I think this issue should be discussed from a feminist point of view rather than a racist one.

Right, I wonder why they put on Western Courtesan in the picture to put on event "Kimono Wednesday"? Why not Japanese woman in Kimono or picture of kimono that come from Japan?

@virgo98 Japanese would never call this event at the museum "racism", as we have a pride in our culture and are very grateful if people of other countries take interest in it. There might be some mistakes or preconceived ideas, but still, having an interest in something is the first step to understand it.

Even they put courtesan in kimono and said "this is Kimono" is alright? It's like insulting or just me being sensitive.

1
BurakuminDesJUL. 09, 2015 - 01:58PM JST
Whilst I confess to finding the sight of a Westerner wearing a kimono rather comical (I don't know why, it just is!) there is hardly anything "imperialistic" about it.

3
virgo98JUL. 09, 2015 - 02:12PM JST
@peace_zzz

I'm not a specialist, but this kimono seems to have too gorgeous or showy patterns, not like Japanese traditional patterns.

I first saw the painting when I was a school kid, and thought it might be a souvenior kimono for foreigners, or made for exports. There was a similar case for chinaware made in Japan.

There were high-class courtesan called "Oiran" in Japan before Meiji period, and the girls wore very gorgeous kimonos. This might be one of them, and someone might have brought back to France. Then, it should be described accordingly.

Nevertheless, it is not insulting at all. Because it is the history. If there is any misunderstanding or incorrectness, it would be presure for Japanese specialists to provide the information. That's all.

6
WilliBJUL. 09, 2015 - 02:19PM JST
WHat the hell is racist about that event? Political Correctness is really running berserk in that country.

2
NobusakiJUL. 09, 2015 - 02:22PM JST
Museums are suppose to represent cultural diversity. There is nothing racist about wearing a Kimono while learning about the history of Japanese culture. I believe by wearing the clothes of other cultures it will enhance the experience of the learner.

I just don't understand the concept of calling an opportunity to wear such clothing racist. I visited a Japanese war museum and they had on display a chance to wear samurai armor and gear (complete with helmet). I was the ONLY foreigner in the museum. Most of the Japanese people encouraged me to try on the gear because of how fascinated I was. I tried it on. No racism here. Just made me appreciate Japanese culture even more (boy that armour gear was heavy)

3
Christopher GlenJUL. 09, 2015 - 02:26PM JST
Political correctness is holding the world to ransom

1
lucabrasiJUL. 09, 2015 - 02:26PM JST
@Burakumin

Whilst I confess to finding the sight of a Westerner wearing a kimono rather comical....

Know what you mean. I got married in a hakama. When I see a photo of that happy event, I cringe....

What a tool.

2
AlphaapeJUL. 09, 2015 - 02:27PM JST
The museum said it had hoped to create an “interactive experience,” helping museum goers appreciate the rich details, embroidery and fine materials of the garments. It said similar events took place when the painting, depicting a woman in a kimono, travelled throughout Japan for an exhibition.

If the museum display showed a map of Japan and the areas where the kimono's came from, then it is not racist or imperialistic. It is simply a display named after a specific manner of dress from a specific Asian country. If they showed a map of all of Asia as representing the kimono, it's not racist, but just stupid on the part of the museum on not being able to pinpoint where the kimono's come from.

But overall, this is just another "perceived insult" that some groups keep peddling to keep themselves relevant. I can't see anything wrong with the name and the intent of the event. The museum should stand fast and hold their ground. Their job is to enlighten and educate the public, not cower because a few who don't know much about the world except to be eternally "PO'ed" about something makes a loud noise.

2
CruisinJapanJUL. 09, 2015 - 02:49PM JST
When I went to Osaka Castle, I had a good time putting on a samurai outfit and posing with my non Japanese friends. And a good time was had by all. Because dressing up is something we all enjoy from the time we are children. Especially in Japan, cosplay is popular even among adults!

So..... is it also racist to wear a ninja costume on Halloween? Go home protesters.

1
cleoJUL. 09, 2015 - 03:06PM JST
The kimono in question does not seem to be an ordinary type of kimono, but one worn by a courtesan.

It's uchikake, once worn by ladies in high-ranked samurai families and now seen only at weddings or on the stage.

Nothing to do with courtesans as far as I can see.

1
NathalieBJUL. 09, 2015 - 03:20PM JST
Dont cringe lucabrasi! There are a significant number of us that think men in hakama look hot! :)

1
Brian WhewayJUL. 09, 2015 - 03:22PM JST
Whats wrong with people? some people are narrow minded, blinkered morons, whats wrong with showing of the artefacts and wears of another country? they are not promoting war related items, nor are they promoting imperialism just the cultural aspects of another country, so is every museum going to stop showing any artefact from any country because its raciest? how stupid can people get? it seams that some people don't want any cultural enrichment. its a shame because I would gone and had a look. if you don't want to look why stop other people looking?.....narrow minded morons!

1
rainydayJUL. 09, 2015 - 03:33PM JST
There is a certain delightful irony to a protest against cultural insensitivity that is itself culturally insensitive.

There must be a word in the English language to express that? Hypocrisy of course, but it is so much more than that.

1
lucabrasiJUL. 09, 2015 - 03:42PM JST
Thanks Nathalie. But no... : (

-1
zichiJUL. 09, 2015 - 03:43PM JST
Most of the time I wear the American national costume. Shorts and T-shirts or jeans and T-shirts but I also enjoy at times wearing a full kimono dress or a Yukata at a ryokan or visit to an onsen town like Arima. Kimonos never really go out of style which is good considering the prices, especially for women.

Back in home country at art uni I made several "art" kimonos and displayed on a catwalk show. I love the simple shapes and the large "canvas area" which become a painting in their own right.

Sometimes I wear denim Happi coats. Winter time indoors I like the padded jackets or Hantens.

Boston could try a Samba night, always a big hit in my hood.

1
Patrik AnderssonJUL. 09, 2015 - 03:49PM JST
A different take on the "Offended White male"; "Offended American with asian roots." A Kimono exhibition is "racist and imperialistic". Really. Really? There are WWII exhibitions with Nazi uniforms, symbols and things and jews don't get offended because it's part of history - same as kimono is a part of a countries history and Culture, you damn fruitcakes.

You know who else wanted to censor History and Culture? Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot ... There's you Political Correctness.

@tonttu2012 The kimono in question does not seem to be an ordinary type of kimono, but one worn by a courtesan. I think this issue should be discussed from a feminist point of view rather than a racist one.

Right, I wonder why they put on Western Courtesan in the picture to put on event "Kimono Wednesday"?

The model in Komono was the artist's wife, not a courtesan. http://japaneseamericaninboston.blogspot.jp/2015/07/monets-la-japonaise-kimono-wednesdays.html

Monet's first wife, Camille, was the model for the painting and sported an uchikake, a type of formal kimono.

BBC reports. http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-33450391

Amnes Siyuan, one of the protest's organisers, said: "A bunch of people tried to prove that they were not racist. That was not the point. We wanted to talk about why this event is cultural appropriation."

Christiana Wang, another protester, said Asian Americans tend to be underrepresented and are forced into certain categories, such as the geisha or the quiet student.

I think the protesters lack understanding of Kimono and Japanese culture. What does the painting have to do with geisha? I do not think the Kimono Wednesday is a racist event at all.

Siyuan and Wang should learn Japanese culture before organizing a protest.

6
BuBuBuJUL. 09, 2015 - 04:48PM JST
Is it any surprise that of the 5 people organizing the protester's Facebook page and every person interviewed about the protests, not one is Japanese?

1
movieguyJUL. 09, 2015 - 06:44PM JST
OMFG! Sophia University had Yukata Day this week. Why do we have to wake up every morning looking for something to be offended about??? UGH!

-1
YubaruJUL. 09, 2015 - 07:49PM JST
Japanese would never call this event at the museum "racism",

True, because Japanese have a hard time understanding what racism is in the first place, seeing as how everything is either Japanese or "gaikoku".

To understand what racism is Japanese have to understand that there is more to the world then "us" vs "them".

1
zichiJUL. 09, 2015 - 07:53PM JST
Photo of protestor

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CI3Qr4KWEAAnM8H.jpg

1
YubaruJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:27PM JST
Photo of protestor

May I slap him upside the head? Dude looks too young to even know wtf he is protesting about. Maybe from North Korea perhaps? (Like brain-washed......)

1
Tony W.JUL. 09, 2015 - 08:33PM JST
Imagine the usual PC "merchant bankers" were responsible for the protest. I had the privilige of having the kimono demonstrated to me years ago by a Japanese friend, and I find it hard to believe that a modern Japanese would mind it being done by Western women; find it mildly amusing perhaps, but not much more. And if, as one of the contributions to this discussion suggested, the protesters were mainly Korean Americans, then it's none of their business. I am reminded of a protest by similar people here in Australia about the insistence of kindergarten teachers in celebrating Christmas despite many children attending being Muslims, and presuming the Muslims would object. They didn't; in fact they said they didn't mind at all. The too-sensitive Western world needs to address this issue of vociferous minorities more robustly. The Swiss referendum system would be very appropriate; about 360 in 100+ years, and only one not ratified by the Government. Now THAT'S real democracy!

3
spahnmatthewJUL. 09, 2015 - 08:36PM JST
@zichi:Photo of protestor

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CI3Qr4KWEAAnM8H.jpg

Thanks for the photo of the protestor. The curator should frame it and entitle it, "The Grievance Industry on Display"

4
bpsitrepJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:07PM JST
That event was cancelled because of one or a few morons?! With thought process like that.....nothing will be held anymore from birthday's to Christmas because 'it offends someone'. So sick of these just jerks, destroying entire cultures and the cowards that keep caving in to them.

6
zichiJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:16PM JST
Why does an art museum allow itself to be censored by a small handful of people who don't even know what they are talking about? A small number destroying the innocent pleasure of thousands.

4
KabukiloverJUL. 09, 2015 - 09:17PM JST
I'm generally for PC and will support it even when it might seem to go overboard. When I was a child we had no PC. Though I was repeatedly bullied because of my ethnicity my elementary school did nothing about it. Only the principal did something: He admonished me to always be polite. Really.

I am all for PC but this vile assault on the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston over "Kimono Wednesday" I find stupid and racist. This is not PC. It is a pack of creeps being vociferous because of Black, Brown, White and probably non-Japanese / Japanese-Americans trying on Kimono. Again, this is not PC but the lowest racism you probably wouldn't get from even the most rabid ultranationalist in Japan.

What Monet showed in his famous painting is that the kimono is beautiful no matter who wears it. This something I know from living here in Japan. The kimono is part of my everyday life. I've worn a ceremonial kimono on various occasions. No one thought it weird or racist.

MFA Boston should not have caved into these ignorant and racist scumbags.

2
CliffyJUL. 09, 2015 - 10:14PM JST
Kimono looks pretty with those fancy patterns. When you view it, view it as art. There is something totally wrong with people today. Then, again, I have also read that some place people wants to cover up the Statue of David for reason of indecency. - they better never travel to Rome.

-5
Luce-AJUL. 10, 2015 - 12:10AM JST
It seems like it was an "art piece" and self-promotion.

Aparna (Pampi) Das is the digital mixed media performance artist and poet at thirdeyefell.com. While her forte is in pen and ink, she enjoys experimenting with video, poetry, movement and song. In her work she engages issues of identity, gender, sexuality and the body politic. Pampi is passionate about being engaged in arts education as a tool for exploring social justice concerns and building sustainable community through affirmative messaging. She has taught dance, fashion design and other forms of art in the greater Boston area. Pampi is also Artistic Director at alpoarrentao Productions, an art event organization in Greater Boston that commissions original art from local artists, explores relevant socio-political themes and strives to deepen relationships between audience and artist. She earned her BS in Art & Design from MIT.

2
jOVAL2011JUL. 10, 2015 - 12:11AM JST
I recently read that Japan would like its culture to be promoted more in other countries so here we are trying & some ignorant people get offended. We need to stop wasting time are trying to be 100% PC compliant & get on with life.

This is one of most confused and silliest Japan related protests I have read of yet, and it's a shame it's non-Japanese bringing Japan into shame and embarrassment.

-2
Wc626JUL. 10, 2015 - 12:43AM JST
A more subtle and concerning undertone is the creation and misappropriation of "Asian-American" as a collective term.

Why? Cause they erected statues of "comfort women" in their communities to teach the world.

6
NathalieBJUL. 10, 2015 - 02:05AM JST
You can't win with these people. We are white, therefore we are racist by birth and if we protest that insulting label we are suffering with "white fragility".

These people aren't Japanese, have no interest in Japan, and are hijacking this issue to push their own flawed agenda that they actually don't really seem to understand themselves. Nowhere on the site is there any kind of reasonable explanation as to what their issues are, they just keep bandying around tired old catchphrases such as "cultural appropriation" and "systematic oppression". And it seems from the group different individuals are complaining about different things in different threads, so they don't even have a cohesiant argument.

In summary - they are a group of spoilers who have ruined it for everyone for their 15 minutes of fame under the guise of - and this is laughable - intellectualism. Shame. I say don't feed the monsters and move on.

-1
rce121JUL. 10, 2015 - 02:37AM JST
One of these days an organization will get smart and stand up to STUPIDITY and IGNORANCE!.. It's ART! As powerful at the United States is, we are still way behind a lot of other countries when it comes to the Cultural aspect of life! Why are we SO IGNORANT?

1
Shumatsu_SamuraiJUL. 10, 2015 - 02:49AM JST
Utterly ridiculous. Part of me wonders if there's latent anti-Japanese sentiment motivating some of the protesters - i.e. they're annoyed people are drawing attention to Japanese cultural items like kimono - and justifying it by saying the museum has been "racist".

At best the protesters are racist in as far that they're campaigning for people (Japanese/American-Japanese) who don't seem to be offended by anything.

2
NathalieBJUL. 10, 2015 - 03:34AM JST
Yes Shumatsu - but then if you point that out to them they then claim it is "nothing to do with Japan or Japanese" and it is all about Asian Americans and their longstanding oppression in general! SMH! One of them doesnt even live in America and honestly from some of her comments I seriously doubt she is even Asian - but shes having a whale of a time calling everyone who disagrees with her a troll!

1
Mike WyckoffJUL. 10, 2015 - 03:52AM JST
There is a facebook group in support of it...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1141781712515378/

1
Chop ChopJUL. 10, 2015 - 03:57AM JST
Nowadays, peoples are protesting on everything even though they can't explain themselves for what they are doing especially left wing activists in the West. I really wanted to ask protestors about their view on dressing Kimono. How come dressing in Kimono and posing front of Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise” painting becoming “racist” and “imperialist"

Here, one Museum visitor talks about protestors. “They’re obviously here to make a point,” said Katelin Hardy, who arrived at the MFA last week intending to try on a kimono. After speaking at length with the protesters, however, she decided to forgo the opportunity, even if she wasn’t “quite sure” about their objections.

“They said everyone was racist,” said Hardy. “Maybe there needs to be a little more context to it, but by the time I was done, we were leaving, and I just couldn’t.”

2
TexPomeroyJUL. 10, 2015 - 04:21AM JST
Ok - that's it! Next St. Patrick's Day I'm gonna ask my friends from Cork to meet me at the Boston museum to protest the fact they caved in to this nonsense! I'll ask them to bring their favorite red & white flags that they use to cheer on their local football club with while I dress up in my favorite kimono (believe it or not, it's got the Lone Star Flag designed on it) and impersonate John Belushi's character from the Saturday Night Live skit!

2
Julie RezendesJUL. 10, 2015 - 04:56AM JST
I live about 50 min away from that museum. I would have loved to try on a kimono. I never heard about it or the protests.

1
Donald TaylorJUL. 10, 2015 - 07:20AM JST
What insanity. If these Japanese or asians or whoever are ashamed of their heritage, then they have a problem not the people who are trying to point out the artistry of the Kimono. The museum should have told these protesters to stick their protest where the sun doesn't shine and continued their Kimono Wednesdays, which were about as far from being racists and imperialist as the east is from the west. Kimonos are beautiful works of art in cloth. To call a western person racists because they don one is about the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. These people need to get a life.

1
Mike WyckoffJUL. 10, 2015 - 07:52AM JST
Our group has managed to take down their Facebook page. If anyone else is willing to join the cause and get the kimono back on display and available for wearing please join. Link is above.

1
tempest_wingJUL. 10, 2015 - 09:01AM JST
The article fails to mention WHO the protesters were or WHY they thought Kimono Wednesdays were racist. Saying that it was imperialistic or yellow face isn't enough. What part of it is imperialist or racist?

1
DMooreJUL. 10, 2015 - 10:48AM JST
Yubaru, you said it! We seem to live in a world now where everyone (lady or not) "doth protest too much"!

1
PSandozJUL. 10, 2015 - 10:51AM JST
I'm just glad the museum hadn't decided to feature Renoir's The Bathers. Now that would have been horrible.

1
sarukazeJUL. 10, 2015 - 11:42AM JST
Just do it anyway. Ignore the protesters. They will find another cause to rally against in a few days

Boston art museum cancels kimono event after claims of racism
Kimono protest at museum
Protesters photographed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on June 23. The museum announced on Tuesday that it was canceling a program that invited visitors to try on replica kimonos in front of Claude Monet's "La Japonaise." (John Blanding / Associated Press)
By DAVID NG contact the reporter

Kimono Wednesday dress-up event @mfaboston museum canceled after claims of racism
Is it a culturally sensitive response to a delicate situation, or another instance of political correctness and outrage culture run amok?

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The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston announced this week that it has canceled its "Kimono Wednesday" event in which visitors were invited to don replicas of traditional Japanese kimonos and be photographed in front of Monet's painting "La Japonaise," the French Impressionist's 1876 portrait of his wife, Camille, posing in an elaborate red kimono and holding a fan.

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The cancellation comes after negative feedback on social media and reports of protests at the museum by people who said the event was racist toward Asian people. "We apologize for offending any visitors," the museum said in a statement published on its website.

cComments
I hope they cancel the upcoming "Wear used Lederhosen" event as well.
KSCHOOSE
AT 10:47 AM JULY 09, 2015
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7

The museum said that the kimonos will now be on display in its Impressionist gallery every Wednesday evening in July "for visitors to touch and engage with, but not to try on."

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Monet's "La Japonaise," which is part of the museum's permanent collection, was created at a time when Parisian society was abuzz about Japanese culture. The painting shows Camille Monet striking a playful pose and wearing a blond wig to emphasize her Western identity, according the the museum.

Artnet also published a photograph of an internal museum document that it said was leaked to protesters. The document states at one point: “We don't think this is racist. We hope visitors come away with a better understanding of how Japanese art influenced the Impressionists like Monet."

A Facebook page titled "Stand Against Yellow-Face @ the MFA" described the Kimono Wednesday event as an "insult not only to our identities, experiences, and histories as Asian-Americans in America, but affects how society as a whole continues to typecast and deny our voices today."

But not everyone has been in agreement with that assessment. One Facebook commenter on the page, who identified herself as Japanese American, wrote that "I am ashamed and disappointed that there is a protest on this exhibit, as I find nothing wrong with it."

MFA Boston said in its statement that "we heard concerns from some members of our community, and as a result, we've decided to change our programming."

Sue Danielson, a visitor from Kentucky, wore a museum-provided kimono last month in front of Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise.”

In an episode that speaks volumes about cultural institutions, ethnic sensitivity, and the power of protest in the digital age, the Museum of Fine Arts is hastily pulling back on an event that protesters labeled a latter-day form of racist minstrelsy.

MFA officials announced Tuesday they would recast “Kimono Wednesdays,” an attraction scheduled to run throughout July. It is extremely rare for the MFA to change exhibition plans in the wake of protests; it appears such action had not been taken for decades.

Created as a light summer distraction, “Kimono Wednesdays” invited visitors to “channel your inner Camille Monet” by donning museum-provided kimonos and posing for photos in front of Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise,” a painting of the artist’s wife wearing a kimono.

But the event quickly raised the hackles of protesters, who charged that the museum was perpetuating racist stereotypes by presenting Asian culture as quintessentially exotic.

At a celebration for departing MFA director Malcolm Rogers on June 24, a small group of protesters stood vigil. “This is appropriation, this is Orientalism,” read one sign. Rogers himself didn’t seem fazed, telling the Globe, “A little controversy never did any harm.”

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The mood was slightly tense as visitors gathered and asked questions about the MFA’s change in programming.
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But the protesters were back on July 1.

“Asian-Americans in this country have a history of being mis- or underrepresented — they’re either completely absent from the media or only depicted as Kung Fu, exoticized, mystical, dragon ladies, prostitutes, or what have you,” said Christina Wang, 29, who held a sign that read, “Try on the kimono, learn what it’s like to be a racist imperialist !!!today!!!” She added: “This event that the MFA is putting on — asking the public to come don the kimono — is part of that legacy.”

‘It’s fair to say we were all quite surprised by the response. We thought it would be an educational opportunity.’

Katie Getchell, Museum of Fine Arts deputy director
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On Tuesday afternoon, the MFA issued a statement that read in part, “We apologize for offending any visitors.” Starting Wednesday, visitors will be able to touch, but not to wear, the kimonos, which will be presented with an educational talk until the event ends on July 29.

“It’s fair to say we were all quite surprised by the response,” said MFA deputy director Katie Getchell. “We thought it would be an educational opportunity for people to have direct encounters with works of art and understand different cultures and times better.”

Protesters in the museum decried the program.
JOHN BLANDING/GLOBE STAFF

Protesters in the museum decried the program.

The protests have been small by almost any standard, with only two protesters showing up last Wednesday (and one person “in support”) to hold signs as patrons tried on the kimonos and posed for pictures. (Suggested hashtag: #mfaBoston.)

Still, their presence made some visitors uncomfortable.

The museum initially stood its ground, presenting staffers with an internal memo defending the event and saying it would continue. “We don’t think this is racist,” states the memo, a copy of which was obtained by the Globe (and by protesters, who posted it online).

But if the protests were small on the ground, the core group of activists garnered wider support online, setting up a Facebook event page and a Tumblr account. And nowhere was the outrage greater than on the MFA’s own Facebook page, where commenters decried the event as “vilely racist” and called for the museum to apologize.

“Just stop,” said Ames Siyuan, 26, a protest organizer, who declared that the MFA can “do better.” “I don’t see how this is arts education. If anything, it perpetuates Halloween costumes of various races.”

Monet’s 1876 painting, which shows his wife, Camille, wearing a blazing red kimono, is thought to be the artist’s wry commentary on the craze for all things Japanese that swept Parisian art circles in the 1870s. Surrounded by fans, Camille posed in a blond wig, an intentional choice to highlight her European descent.

Art historians believe Monet was poking fun at his contemporaries and the movement known as “japonisme.” Today, however, some activists and scholars regard the 19th-century European fascination with Asia in a more sinister light, dubbing it “Orientalism,” a handmaiden of Imperialism whereby nonwestern cultures are reduced to a handful of mysterious traits — unknowable exotics and therefore less human.

“We should have a conversation about Orientalism and why it’s wrong,” said Siyuan. “They’re perpetuating Orientalism. They don’t give any context. They’re like, try this on, and that’s it. That’s not the way to do it.”

But if the protesters were certain of their message, their meaning was lost on some visitors.

“They’re obviously here to make a point,” said Katelin Hardy, who arrived at the MFA last week intending to try on a kimono. After speaking at length with the protesters, however, she decided to forgo the opportunity, even if she wasn’t “quite sure” about their objections.

“They said everyone was racist,” said Hardy. “Maybe there needs to be a little more context to it, but by the time I was done, we were leaving, and I just couldn’t.”

The kimonos, which are replicas of the garment in the painting, were commissioned by the Japanese broadcaster NHK to accompany “La Japonaise” for the recent traveling exhibit “Looking East”; visitors to museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, and the MFA’s sister museum in Nagoya could try them on as part of the exhibit.

“It was very successful in Japan, and we wanted to provide an opportunity to further the visitor experience in Boston,” said Getchell, who added that the MFA presented an educational talk on the event’s inaugural night. “People really appreciated the opportunity to see the kimonos, to try it on, to feel it, to appreciate its craftsmanship, and to think about what it would be like for a Parisian woman to have worn that at the time for her husband to paint her.”

But Siyuan and Wang say that things are more complicated in the United States, where Japanese and other Asians represent an often-overlooked minority. The event amounted to “cultural appropriation,” Siyuan said. “It’s white person after white person after white person saying this is not racist.”

In its statement, the MFA acknowledged the protesters’ concerns and hoped the programming change would further dialogue.

“We hope that it will be an opportunity to achieve our original goal to understand the artwork and the culture of its time,” said Getchell. “We didn’t intend to offend.”

By Casey Quackenbush | 07/09/15 11:48am
COMMENT
(Photo: Museum of Fine Arts Boston, via Facebook, via Art Net)
A post from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston reads, “Channel your inner Camille ‪#‎Monet‬ and try on a replica of the kimono she’s wearing in “La Japonaise.” Every Wednesday night June 24-July 29, one of our College Ambassadors will be on hand to assist in transforming you into Monet’s muse. Share your photos using ‪#‎mfaBoston‬!” (Photo: Museum of Fine Arts Boston, via Facebook, via Art Net)

After accusations of racism and cultural insensitivity, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has cancelled its “Kimono Wednesdays” program, the museum confirmed.

In honor of Claude Monet’s La Japonaise, one of the museum’s most celebrated pieces in its permanent collection, the MFA had organized an event where museum goers could try on traditional Japanese kimonos that replicate the one Monet’s wife dons in the painting and take photos, called “Kimono Wednesdays.” But not everybody thought a game of dress up in traditional garb was appropriate.

The impressionist piece highlights France’s infatuation with Japanese culture during the 1860s-70s, known as Japonisme.

Katie Getchell, the deputy director of the museum, told the Observer that the Kimono Wednesdays program was an offshoot of similar events that were offered in Japanese museums—The Setagaya in Tokyo, The Kyoto Municapal Museum, and The Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts—while La Japonaise was on loan there. Trying on the kimonos—or more specifically, uchikake—was a huge hit in Japan, so the MFA adopted a similar program.

The idea was to give visitors a “tactile experience” with the kimonos made in Japan “to understand and experience the painting in a new way,” Ms. Getchell told the Observer.

Since Kimono Wednesdays launched on June 24, the program has run twice. Three protesters holding signs came on the first night, and two on the second. Ms. Getchell said they were quiet and did not engage in discussion with visitors.

On a Facebook event description for Stand Against Yellow-Face @ the MFA, the protestors made their objections clear:

“There is no education on the garment’s origin, history, uses, or importance in Japanese society at the time. The act of non-Japanese museum staff throwing these kimonos on visitors as a “costume” event is an insult not only to our identities, experiences, and histories as Asian-Americans in America, but affects how society as a whole continues to typecast and deny our voices today…A willingness to engage thoughtfully with museum employees and visitors on the bullshit of this white supremacist ‘costume’ event are [sic] welcome.”

At first, Ms. Getchell explained, there was an “overwhelmingly positive response on Facebook” to the program from visitors. Ms. Getchell also clarified that there were in fact educators at the museum contextualizing the history of the painting. However due to summer scheduling, they could not attend every Wednesday.

But after monitoring the commotion on social media in the past few days, the MFA decided to alter the event so that visitors can no longer try the kimono on. Now, they can only touch it with their hands. The museum has issued an apology online and also detailed its plan to increase the number presentations of by educators.

“We were surprised by the negative concerns that were raised,” Ms. Getchell said to the Observer. “We clearly would never plan something that would be offensive in that way.”

Read more at http://observer.com/2015/07/mfa-boston-cancels-kimono-dress-up-after-allegations-of-racism/#ixzz3fST4186t
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25 COMMENTS
PRINTTimothy Nagaoka, 37, who teaches Japanese in the Boston public schools, said he was disappointed that the Museum of Fine Arts is no longer letting guests try on kimonos next to Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise.”
STEPHANIE MCFEETERS, GLOBE CORRESPONDENT

Timothy Nagaoka, 37, who teaches Japanese in the Boston public schools, said he was disappointed that the Museum of Fine Arts is no longer letting guests try on kimonos next to Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise.”

By Stephanie McFeeters GLOBE CORRESPONDENT JULY 09, 2015
The mood in the Impressionist gallery at the Museum of Fine Arts Wednesday evening was slightly tense as dozens of visitors gathered for a reconfigured “Kimono Wednesdays” event. Many had questions about the kimonos on display next to Claude Monet’s “La Japonaise,” and following a talk about the painting, visitors asked “Spotlight” speaker Wendy Dodek to explain the MFA’s change in programming.

The museum had originally invited visitors to try on kimonos and pose for photos next to the 1876 painting, which depicts Monet’s wife wearing a kimono as a commentary on Parisians’ craze for all things Japanese. But protests criticizing “Kimono Wednesdays” as racist led the museum to alter the program, scheduled to run throughout July. On Tuesday, the museum announced it would continue to display kimonos “for visitors to touch and engage with, but not to try on.”

Isabella Bulkeley, a public relations associate at the museum, said that Dodek aimed in her talk to emphasize the painting’s historical context.

Throughout the evening, a group of about a dozen people who opposed the event milled about, with some engaging visitors and posing questions to museum staff about Monet’s intentions, Orientalism, and the way the event was framed. The group had brought fliers outlining some of their complaints, but at the request of museum staff, they did not distribute them.

Staging a personal counter-protest, Timothy Nagaoka, 37, who teaches Japanese to fourth and fifth graders in Boston public schools, said he was upset that the MFA is no longer letting guests try on the kimonos.

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MFA backs down over kimono event
The museum is hastily pulling back on an event that protesters labeled a latter-day form of racist minstrelsy.

“I had marked my calendar,” he said. “I think it would have been a great opportunity for my students.”

Wearing a yukata, which he described as a cotton summer kimono for men, Nagaoka held a variety of signs. “Wearing a kimono does not make me a racist or an imperialist,” one read. Another quoted Taylor Swift: “Haters gonna hate, hate, hate.”

“Any attention on Japan is a good thing,” he said, explaining his support for the original program. “This painting celebrates the fascination that French Impressionists had.”

At one point, Nagaoka and the group opposing the event, along with other visitors, gathered in a doorway of the gallery, and the conversation became slightly heated. “You don’t understand anything about art,” one man said as he passed through. To which someone responded, “Check your privilege.”

Ames Siyuan, 26, of Cambridge, said she was disappointed by the way the museum was handling the event.

She said she was particularly frustrated by what she perceived as a lack of knowledge about the kimono in “La Japonaise,” citing the limited information the speaker was able to provide about the kimono design’s significance.

“It has not been a place for dialogue,” she said, explaining that she had been told by a security guard to keep quiet. “I want more people to question the painting.”

Kimono Promotion Yields to Outrage at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts
By DANIEL MCDERMON JULY 8, 2015 2:41 PM July 8, 2015 2:41 pm
Photo
Claude Monet's “La Japonaise,” which depicts the painter's wife, Camille, wearing a blond wig and a kimono.
Claude Monet's “La Japonaise,” which depicts the painter's wife, Camille, wearing a blond wig and a kimono.Credit Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Audience engagement efforts, increasingly a priority for museums, often ask viewers to interact with historic works of art, possibly providing a more distinctive experience than mere looking. And the results are usually designed to be shareable on social media, to stoke further engagement.

It doesn’t always work out as planned.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, learned that lesson recently when an attempt to engage visitors left some of them outraged instead, causing the museum to alter a series of weekly events intended to promote one of its signature works, Monet’s “La Japonaise.”

The painting depicts the artist’s wife, Camille, wearing a blond wig and a kimono, holding a fan. In social media posts, the museum invited visitors to mimic her pose by trying on a replica of her kimono on Wednesday evenings, when museum admission is free. Photos could be shared with the hashtag #mfaBoston, the museum added.

As The Boston Globe reported, a small protest was held at the museum on June 24, the first night of the promotion. And three people returned the following week, according to The Globe, which noted one protest sign reading “Try on the kimono, learn what it’s like to be a racist imperialist !!!today!!!”

Ames Siyuan, a protest organizer, told The Globe the museum was “perpetuating Orientalism. They don’t give any context. They’re like, try this on, and that’s it. That’s not the way to do it.”

Online, the outcry was less nuanced, with expressions of outrage piling up on Facebook and elsewhere. One commenter wrote, “Wow, MFA. This is super racist; I expected more from you.” Another said, “You’re furthering the exotification of Asian individuals by reducing them down to a costume.”

In its online description, the museum describes “La Japonaise” as “a virtuoso display of brilliant color that is also a witty comment” on the vogue for Japanese culture that permeated Paris at the time, known as Japonisme.

It seems safe to conclude that the museum was aiming for a different kind of engagement.

On Tuesday, the museum announced it would change the program. In a statement, the museum said that the kimonos would no longer be available to wear. Instead, visitors may “touch and engage with” them. The museum added that it would schedule additional talks by its educational staff on the remaining Wednesday nights in July, to provide context, “as well as an opportunity to engage in culturally sensitive discourse.”

Reproductions of the kimono were commissioned by NHK, the Japanese broadcaster, as part of “Looking East,” a traveling exhibition including the Monet work that was seen at museums in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya. The statement noted visitors to that exhibition could also try on the kimonos.

Describing the work for The New York Times in 1919, seven years before Monet’s death, an unnamed writer praised it as “robust and splendid,” adding what seems, in the current context, the somewhat damning praise that “the blonde face crowned by pale yellow hair is charmingly French.”

A version of this article appears in print on 07/09/2015, on page C3 of the NewYork edition with the headline: Kimono Furor at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Following an uproar of criticism on social media, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) cancelled an event that protesters labelled racist and culturally insensitive.
Museum officials announced that they would cancel "Kimono Wednesdays," which was originally scheduled to run until 29 July.
Every week, visitors were encouraged to "channel your inner Camille Monet" by posing in front of Claude Monet's "La Japonaise" while trying on a replica of the kimono Monet's wife, Camille, wears in the painting.
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The image Boston MFA put on its Facebook
Protesters quickly labelled this event as racist, saying it propagated racial stereotypes and encouraged cultural appropriation.
Some stood with signs next to visitors who tried on the kimono.
"It's not racist if you looks cute & exotic in it besides the MFA supports this!" one sign read.
Amnes Siyuan, one of the protest's organisers, said: "A bunch of people tried to prove that they were not racist. That was not the point. We wanted to talk about why this event is cultural appropriation."
Christiana Wang, another protester, said Asian Americans tend to be underrepresented and are forced into certain categories, such as the geisha or the quiet student.
The museum initially continued the event, releasing an internal memo to their staff that defended the attraction.
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"We don't think this is racist," the memo states. But the event was eventually cancelled. On Tuesday the MFA released a statement on their website in which they "apologise for offending any visitors".
The kimono will still be on display in front of the painting until the end of the month for visitors "to touch and engage with," but they will not have the option to try it on.
MFA Deputy Director Katie Getchell said the museum decided to follow the concerns of the community but it was not uncommon for the museum to have exhibits where visitors interact with artefacts.
"We wanted people to engage with the painting," Getchell said. "It was a way to help them understand the painting, the artist's choices and the time. We never meant to be offensive."
There was considerable outrage on social media.
A Tumblr page was created where protesters posted pictures and responded to the MFA's statement. Amnes Siyuan hosted a Facebook group "Stand Against Yellow-Face @ the MFA".
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Talking points handed out by the museum
"There's a difference between appreciation and appropriate, MFA. As a former Boston resident and patron of the museum I'm embarrassed for you," Facebook user Junko Goda commented.
"Just because you don't think it's racist or cultural appropriation it does not make the impact on those who see it any different #MFABoston," tweeted Aaron P.
Aparna "Pampi" Das, one of the protesters at the museum, said the exhibit "goes back to the world exhibition in Europe where visitors would come see people in cages brought from Africa".
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Aparna Das protested both online and at the museum
Das said there will still be protests because the museum is still displaying the kimono and encouraging people to touch it "under a continued and creepy orientalist gaze".
She said the protests will continue until the museum issues a formal apology and opens a panel to discuss this incident in public with some of the protesters as panelists.
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